Connecting The Dots (CTD) is an intense 5 hour program that works with up to 150 middle/elementary school
students during the regular school day. Through a series of activities, stories and interactions, CTD provides
students with new perspectives on what school life can look like while simultaneously promoting ways for
students to communicate with each other outside of their normal routine.

CTD focuses on the commonalities we share, both big and little, fundamentally shifting students views from
what makes them different to what makes them similar. CTD helps students understand that what they say
and do matters, especially the small things. Bullying is a complex issue and sometimes difficult for students to
fully comprehend. CTD breaks down the subtleties of bullying, not just physical intimidation and harassment,
but name calling, teasing and what being funny really means. CTD challenges students to be a part of the
"caring majority" at school and empowers them to be a change agent on campus, regardless of their age or social
stature.

CTD concentrates on four areas, encouraging students to focus both externally and internally in their behavior.

Based on the simple concept that there are no bad students, just bad habits, CTD sets out to look at the habits
we have in our daily lives. A habit starts out as something you do and becomes a part of who you are. Our
habits play a large role in shaping our personality and character. CTD helps students understand their good
habits, while reflecting on negative habits that may cause pain or hurt others.

99 of what is inside each and every one of us is intrinsically good and we struggle with only 1. Sometimes
that 1 can be overpowering, it can change lives, strain relationships and compromise what we know to be
good. CTD encourages students to focus on the 99 every day.

There is a quote that states "treat people kinder than necessary for everyone is fighting some type of battle."
What would happen if you could display that battle on a small chalk board that everyone could read? Would
they treat you different? CTD asks "What is on your chalk board?"

An opinion is one of your most important possessions. CTD helps students to understand that the value of an
opinion is that there is value in their opinion. The value of these students' opinion comes in the way they reach
that opinion and not just in having one. CTD teaches students that when their opinions start to hurt someone
or make them feel bad about themselves, that is when their opinion needs a check-up; Connecting The Dots is
the Mechanic.

“Hi Stu, my name is Jacoy Willis... Yeah try and pronounce it. ;-) You spoke at my school, North Shore Junior High on Friday the ninth of August. I wanted to tell you that the very next day, Monday the twelfth, no less than 100 of my classmates were wearing crowns and a few over 60 were wearing white boards around there necks! What you said really touched me. I have been sitting alone at lunch for 5 years. The very next day after your speech no less than five kids asked me to sit with them. I have been bullied in the past but after you talked to us I think that this is going to start turning around. So I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of all kids harassed and friendless at our school because now we have confidence!”

“You are the best speaker i have ever heard. that speech was amazing, and i don't think you need to time travel and give Brad Pitt or some other famous person your name, because you ARE famous to every single person at Woodinville High. instantly after that assembly I noticed that so many people were following that one simple rule of being nice, and it monumentally changed our school for the better. I cannot thank you enough for speaking at our school.”
- Jacob Hanser